2 & 3 May 2025
Yesterday morning, all I wanted was food — and then to crawl right back into bed. Little Stella, Alexia’s daughter, is a very light sleeper, and their home is so peaceful, so still. It’s exactly what I needed — a sanctuary, a space for my entire being to rest. Everything in me seemed to shut down. I had no interest in seeing people, and definitely no desire to venture into the city just yet. I needed to hermit — and thankfully, I had the perfect place to do just that.
After a shower and coffee, I sat in quiet meditation, occasionally playing with Stella and the nanny. The nanny is a sweet Malaysian woman who speaks very little English, but her love for Stella is clear. There’s a softness between them that needs no translation.
Eventually, hunger caught up with me. I wandered down the street to the nearby mall, craving a sit-down meal. The variety was incredible, and I’ve already fallen head over heels for Malaysian food — fresh, fragrant, and perfectly spiced. After months of heavy, oily, and intensely spicy dishes in India, my body was singing with gratitude for these clean, balanced flavors.
With a happy belly, all I wanted was sleep — and with no schedule and nothing pressing to do, I gave myself full permission to nap, to restore, to let go.
Later that afternoon, once Alexia returned home, we decided to take Stella to the park to play before sunset. The rain had soaked everything earlier in the day, and the humidity had skyrocketed — something I’m definitely not used to. Still, I made a conscious choice: to adjust quickly. I’ll be here for three months, and I don’t want to spend it feeling sticky and uncomfortable. It’s time to soften into the tropical air.
Today, Alexia had an afternoon event and asked if I could help the nanny with Stella. After some time in the garden, it was time for Stella to get dressed — and out came the finger paints. We unrolled a big canvas, and for the next few hours, she was utterly enchanted — smearing paint across her hands, stamping colorful prints everywhere, giggling as the colors danced beneath her fingertips.
Of course, as with all toddlers, fun can turn into a meltdown in mere seconds. One moment she was joyfully creating — the next, tired and hungry, completely over it. The nanny came to the rescue with lunch and gently settled her down for her nap.
Meanwhile, I spent the afternoon planning. Tomorrow I finally head out to explore Kuala Lumpur properly, and I’ve booked my bus tickets to Kuala Besut — the next threshold on my journey. Soon, I’ll say goodbye to this cozy cocoon and step into the next adventure: city lights and then… island life!
